The property at 65 E. Huron, which most recently was Clutch Cargo's nightclub, is to be renovated and reopen by Easter as the new home of Grace Gospel Fellowship.

Written by

Frank Witsil

Detroit Free Press Business Writer

The property at 65 E. Huron, which most recently was Clutch Cargo's nightclub, is to be renovated and reopen by Easter as the new home of Grace Gospel Fellowship.

History of the property

Sept. 17, 1911: First Congregational Church of Pontiac dedicates property as a place of worship. 1927: Walls and roof of the church were completed, but the project was in deep debt. As the Great Depression hit, it was boarded up. 1952: Work on the church resumes. Oct. 7, 1962: The church was finished and dedicated. Mid-1990s: First Congregational Church sold the building to investors who turned the structure into the Sanctum nightclub. 1999: The property was sold, and reopened as Clutch Cargo’s. 2001: Clutch Cargo’s was sold under a land contract deal. 2005: Sale never completed. Original Clutch Cargo’s owners take possession. Thursday: Grace Gospel Fellowship announces it will renovate the property and it will become a church again. Source: Grace Gospel Fellowship, Grace Gospel Centers of Hope

To donate

The church is seeking $2 million to renovate the building. For information, call Michelle Atwell of Grace Centers of Hope at 248-334-2187. Donors can send checks to 35 E. Huron St., Pontiac, 48342, or give online at www.gracecentersofhope.org.

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A Pontiac church with more than a century of history, including nearly two decades as a nightclub, will become a house of worship again.

The property at 65 E. Huron, which most recently was Clutch Cargo’s nightclub, is to be renovated and reopen by Easter as the new home of Grace Gospel Fellowship.

“This is a perfect time — a perfect fit,” Grace Gospel senior pastor Kent Clark said Thursday. “The restoration of the old church building is very exciting, especially to the people who were members there years ago.”

The property was bought and donated by the Luther family — Bill and Sue Luther of Oakland Township, and their three adult children.

The church became a nightclub in mid-1990s.

Grace Gospel, now at 210 N. Perry in Pontiac, has launched a $2-million campaign. About one-third of that amount will be used to renovate and restore the 30,000-square-foot church. The rest will go to create community programs.

The restoration plans include repairing stained-glass windows, patching a leaky roof, fixing the bell tower and reviving the building’s interior. When completed, the church will be able to seat up to 700 people.

“We’re going to bring it back to its original luster,” Clark said. “It will be one of the highlights of Pontiac.”